Multiple angular, energy compensating centrifuge



May 29, 1956 A. M. CADDELL.

MULTIPLE ANGULAR, ENERGY COMPENSATING CENTRIFUGE} Filed Dec. 18, 1952 sSheets-Sheet 1 N m L E w E I MW 0 0 N D {M E6 DE MUM? 00 w GSWCF TOR.

IN VEN May 29, 1956 A. M. CADDELL 2,747,793

MULTIPLE ANGULAR, ENERGY COMPENSATING CENTRIFUGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledDec. 18, 1952 1 IIIII,

y 9, 1956 A. M. CADDELL 2,747,793

MULTIPLE ANGULAR, ENERGY COMPENSATING CENTRIFUGE Filed Dec. 18, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent MULTIPLE ANGULAR, ENERGYCOMPENSATING CENTRIFUGE Alfred M. Caddell, Philadelphia, Pa. ApplicationDecember 18, 1952, Serial No. 326,715

23 Claims. (Cl. 233 -18) This application is in part a continuation ofapplication Serial No. 147,200, filed March 2, 1950, under the titleLarge Capacity, Two-Stage Centrifuge, and now abancloned.

While retaining all the features and advantages described in theforegoing application, the present application includes, among other newfeatures, a contaminant, or high specific gravity, liquid separating anddischarging system, thus permitting the herein described centrifuge tobe a more serviceable device than that described in the aforesaidapplication, Serial No. 147,200.

The objects of the present invention are:

1. To employ the kinetic energy within a fluid given pressure at anoutside source and carrying substances having specific gravities higherthan that of said fluid to drive the rotor at a speed required to effectby centrifugal means separation of such substances from said fluid.

2. To obtain work from the energy in said fluid upon its beingdischarged from the centrifuge by causing it to impinge against statormeans in a direction opposite to that of rotation, thus developing apowerful leverage reactive driving force which, when coordinated withthe fluid input drive, will minimize back pressure against the pumpemployed to force the fluid into the centrifuge. Obviously, suchcoordination will contribute toward economical operation. In thisconnection, interchangeable reactive drive assemblies having differentradii, including the complementary stator assembly and housing therefor,are available for achieving an optimum coordinating operating effect.

3. To assure by means external to but associated with the centrifuge theintroduction of foam-free, and therefore air-free, fluid within thecentrifuge, and to prevent the tendency of a hot viscous fluid to foamupon its being discharged against static surfaces.

4. To make available a centrifuge wherein the kinetic energy within acomposite substance-laden fluid driving the rotor is converted intoconstantly increasing centrifugal force within said fluid as soon as itstrikes an increasingly radial turbine type of construction, therebyfacilitating greatly the movement of said fluid through the centrifugeand providing instantaneous separation of the relatively heavysubstances from said' fluid upon its initial contact with said turbineconstruction.

5. To provide separation stages within the rotor whereby several degreesof separation may be had.

6. To provide adequate contaminant and heavy liquid accumulatingcapacity in the primary separation stage, and means for continuallydischarging said heavy liquid therefrom.

7. To permit quick accessibility to the primary separation stage forremoval of hard-packed contaminants without having to take thecentrifuge apart.

8. To provide multiple positive drain constructions whereby contaminantsprecipitated within the centrifuge may be flushed out of every partthereof by solvent means if the removal of said contaminants has notbeen too long delayed.

2,747,793 Patented May 29, .1956

9. To promote uninterrupted distribution of the fluid by means of radiidifferential constructions, thus preventing clogging of entranceapertures or parts.

10. To provide windows and access doors in the centrifuge casing tofacilitate interior observation and the removal of drainage covers andother parts.

11. To preclude the necessity for installing an oil cooler on aninternal combustion engine, passage of the oil through the centrifugeeffecting a sufficient reduction in temperature before re-introductioninto the engine.

12. To promote economy in engine operation, as one example, by promotingbetter lubrication and, by making it unnecessary to replenish the entireoil supply in order to rid the engine of sludge, reduce thelubricationcosts to a minimum. 7

Other objects and advantages made possible by this invention will becomeapparent as the herein description proceeds.

This invention has application in many industrial fields, but forpresent purposes, attention is invited to separation and discharge ofcontaminants from the lubricating oil of an engine between the sump andthe oil-in connection as the oil flows through the oil return line.

When oil is being circulated in an engine it absorbs heat from the hotinterior, thereby cooling it. In many engines this oil is passed throughan oil cooler to dissipate at least 50 degrees F. of heat before beingreturned to the oil reservoir. But in the process of cooling the engine,the oil undergoes a number of chemical changes; for one, the liberationof sulphur therefrom. (Sulphur is present in all petroleumproductsbetween 2 to 4 pounds per 1000 lbs. of oil or fuel.) As one ofthe chemical by-products, water is formed in the cylinders during theprocess of combustion and, in the presence of oxygen of the intake air,and also air in the crankcase, it unites with sulphur and oxygen to forma strong sulphuric acid solution (H2804) which has a specific gravity of1.87- more than twice that of oil or gasoline. Oil in the circulatorysystem is subjected to similar chemical changes, the heat and action ofthe engine serving as an additional refinery process to precipitate theweaker components of the lubricating oil. This sulphuric acid combineswith carbon molecules of hydrocarbon compounds (petroleum) and withsilica dust, metallic particles, etc., to form sludge which has aspecific gravity much higher thanthat of water (1.0) and which packshard against surfaces and oil channels that are affected by thecombination of heat and centrifugal force, such as in the crankarm. Oncean oil channel block is set up sludge accumulatio mounts rapidly,ruining the engine.

Oftentimes, in water-cooled engines, gasket leaks occur, allowing waterto find its way into the crankcase, there to form emulsion sludges ofdifferent specific gravities, all of which prevent adequate lubrication.Water also forms in air-cooled engines that operate under contrastingatmospheric temperatures, the water in air condensing in the crankcase.

In addition to such sludges, the oil picks up dirt that enters via theintake air, and also metallic particles caused by engine wear. Carbonresiduals, the products of incomplete combustion, multiply rapidly andwhen mixed with sludges, silica dust, etc., fuse into jagged particlesthat have the hardness of a diamond. When such dangerous particles getin the oil stream, severe walland bearing scratching occurs, therebycausing great friction and ultimate seizure of the hot working partsyforduring engine operation temperatures mount quite high andthe metals losetheir strength and enduring qualities in inverse proportion to suchtemperature rise. The continuous removal of such unwanted matter fromthe lubricating oil therefore becomes -a must if the life of the engineand operating safety are to be preserved.

Obviously, the most logical time to accomplish the removal'o'fcontaminants from the 'oil stream is" as soon as possible after thelubricant leaves the engine sump, at which time it has a temperature ofapproximately 250 degrees F. and is, therefore, very fluid. Highfluidity, as contrasted to high viscosity, facilitates practicallyinstantaneous separation of the substances having specific gravitieshigher than that of the oil. Hence, continuousnot simply periodicremovalof such matter brings about many advantages, such as longer time betweenengine overhauls, a better functioning engine, a higher power output perpound of fuel consumed and a lower lubricant cost due to the need ofadding only small quantities of fresh oil to maintain the crankcaselevel and the proper viscosity.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the described centrifuge, inwhich view is also shown an exterior schematic outline of the associatedfluid introductory and fluid by-pass means, and a sectional view of acomplementary, or assisting, energyrecovering assembly via reactivedrive.

Fig. 2 is, compared to Fig. 1, an approximate half-size external view ofthe centrifuge, the controlled-flow introductory and by-pass schematicsystem and the compensating reactive drive means.

Fig. 3 is a half-size, partially cutaway top view of the centrifugerotor taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1. In this view is also shown outletsfor the discharge therethrough of liquid having a higher specificgravity than that of the fluid carrying such liquid.

Fig. 4 is a half-size side view of the rotor looking toward center, thefluid contaminant discharge passageways being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 5 is an exposed view, looking downward, Fig. l, of thefrusto-conical disc assembly identified as 47, the series of concentric,sectioned ringsindicating the contaminant-catching protuberances on theunder-sides of the discs, that comprise a separating-retaining meansemployed in. that stage.

Fig. 6 is a top view, taken on line 6- 6, Fig. 1, showing (A) the. fluiddispersal means employed to convey the fluid under pressure. to therotor; (B) the compartmented, double-walled, ribbed structure, (C) theouter side-wall showing the equi-spaced passageways for conveying aliquidcontaminanttoward the areaofits discharge and. (D) theover-hanging flange of the top cap plate.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the frustoconical discassembly of the secondary separation stage, wherein is shown its angularmounting relative to the hollow shaft.

Fig. 8 is a three-quarter view of a fluid-passing spacer ring employedin the frusto-conical disc assembly.

Fig. 9 is a half-size partial view, looking downward, of the bottomradial plate of the secondary separation stage, taken on line 9-9, Fig.1, the fluid entrance holes thereof being identified as 51A, Figs. 1 and9.

Fig. 10 is a half-size view, looking downward, of the removabletwin-half top plate cover of the contaminant accumulating chamber,separately identified as 27, Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a half-size view, looking upward, of the multipurpose plate,identified as 43, Fig. 1, showing therein fluid entrance apertures,identified as 45.

Fig. 12 shows a front and a side view of the liquid discharge fixtureslocated innerwise on the rotors top cap plate.

"Fig. 13 is a half-size view, looking upward of the removable drainagesections on the bottom of the rotor, separately identified as 34, Fig.1.

Fig. 14 is a half-size view, looking upward, of the removable twin-halfaccess sections in the bottom of the stationary. casing, identified as74,'Fig. 1. Multiple tubular outlets, identified as 71, for conveyingwater or other comparatively heavy liquid from the inside of the casingto an annular collecting tube, are also shown.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of a single curved stator blade of thereactive drive assembly, identified as 84, Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a half-size partially exposed view, looking downward, of theassociated reactive drive assembly mounted on the lower extremity of thehollow shaft beneath the centrifuge casing.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view taken on the line 1717 of Fig. 6, showing ina side view the circumferential aperture on the inner wall of thecompartmented wall structure and the edges of the ribs positionedtherein.

Fig. 18 is a partial view, looking downward, of the foam nullifyingscreen of the reactive drive assembly, identified as 85, Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a half-size partial view of the top of the casing showingremovable windows in said top.

By referring to Fig. 1, the entry and travel through the centrifuge ofthe fluid to be freed of contaminants may be followed. The contaminatedfluid-in the present instance lubricating oil-is indicated by arrowshaving forked tails. It comes from the sump of an engine, not shown,wherein it receives pressure from the pump therein for return, as perconventional engines, to the oil tank. However, it is proposed that thecentrifuge described herein shall be installed in the line between theengine sump and the oil tank as. closely to and at a lower level thanthe sump outlet as is possible so that separation advantages madepossible by high heat may be best employed.

Coming from an engine, the contaminated oil travels, as per forkedarrows 1, into a flow-regulating device 2, not part of this inventionexcept associatively, wherein there are valves which may be actuated viamanual, pressure-relief orv thermostatic control. For example, were thiscentrifuge installed in an airplane, it would be most desirable forquick warm-up purposes to by-pass the oil directly to the engine oilinlet via conduit 3, in which case no oil would enter the centrifuge.But as soon as a sufficiently high oil temperature had been attained,the oil then would be permitted by any of the above-mentioned controlsto enter conduit 4, traveling as per indieating-arrows 5 intostationary, though detachable, fluid conveying tube 6.

A valve, not shown, is also incorporated in the flowregulating device 2to make certain that a high enough oil level'is maintained in the enginesump, thereby precluding the possibility of air entering the oil streamvia the sump pump and thus getting into the centrifuge, in which eventit would cause erratic operation with resulting poor contaminantseparation. This valve would permit sufiicient oil to be by-passed tothe engine sump via conduit 7 to maintain a high level of oil, or adrowned condition, in the sump at all times. This by-pass facility isespecially desirable should the centrifuge be installed in an airplanefor under the reduced atmospheric pressure conditions prevailing at highaltitudes foaming or frothing of the oil occurs, which condition, inturn, causes irregular pump action and consequently insuflicient flow ofoil which serves both as a lubricant and as a fluid means wherebyexcessive heat is removed from an engine.

Reference to 6, Figs. 1 and 6, shows that the stationary fluidintroductory system is comprised of a number of dispersal tubes 8 whichhave open-end connection with the interior of introductory tube 6 which,in turn, is disengageably connected to conduit 4 by means of tubular nut9. Tubes 8 are removably afiixed to radial supporting plate 10, whichencompasses tube 6,- by means of clamp bolts 11, thelatter supportingand holding said dispersal tubes in prescribed radial alignment.

Tubes 8 turn at approximate right angles at their extremities and haveangularly shaped nozzles 12 with restrictive orifices removably afiixedthereto. These nozzles, which may be of any desired cross-section orhave any desired foeussing angle, direct forcibly the fluid beingdischarged therefrom against the inner surface of the outer wall and theribs of the compartmented structure, thereby causing, in conjunctionwith the reactive drive hereinafter described, maximum peripheral speedof the rotor and development of a powerful centrifugal force within thefluid at a minimum cost of power.

This compartmented wall structure contributes several major operating aswell as structural advantages to this centrifuge. As shown, it is ofparallel spaced-Wall, increasingly radial construction from top tobottom, invaluably stressed by integrated equi-spaced ribs that extendtherein throughout its entire depth.

As one advantage, the contaminated fluid impinges via the nozzles at thenear-maximum radius of the rotor, thus contributing to the rotor ahigh-leverage hydraulic drive.

Second, in the precipitation of semi or whole solids or a high specificgravity liquid from a fluid, such as oil, the best efliciency isattained by breaking up the fluid into innumerable fine streams underhigh-heat operating conditions. Such a result occurs when thecontaminated fiuid comes from an engine, or a hot vessel, and isdirected under pressure against a large number of compartmented areas,such as is afforded by the presently described construction. Thedischarge of the fluid as it leaves nozzles 12 is partly outward, andafter imparting its energy against the ribs and wall structure theheaviest contaminants within the fluid, now under the influence ofcentrifugal force, remain as far radially distant as the confines of thestructure allow.

Third, this compartmented structure, having a downwardly increasingradial construction, operates under the influence of progressivelyincreasing centrifugal force throughout its outwardly disposed depth.(In constructing centrifuges of this invention, the radii differentialmay be increased to any desired extent.) Hence, in conjunction with thecentrifugal pump effect induced by the high-leverage reactive driveassembly, the pressure within the fluid becomes such that the receivingend of the construction-the top-is constantly relieved of the fluid asfast as it impinges thereagainst. Moreover, the resistance inherent incentripetal flow from the contaminant accumulating chamber issufficiently overcome, via this centrifugal suction means, to permitfluid to flow centripetally through apertures in the more centrallypositioned frusto-conical disc assembly, which comprises the secondaryseparation stage.

Fourth, aside from the favorable operating elfects made possible by thisnearmaximurn leverage impingement position, and also by theprogressively increasing centrifugal force brought into being by meansof this construction, the parallel walled, internally ribbed design,constituting as it does a multi-trussed wall, ofifers the best form ofstructure for withstanding the high centrifugal and fluid pressurestresses that build up within a rotor.

Fifth, inasmuch as the fluid carrying its higher specific gravitysubstarces is conveyed at the commencement of the separating process tothe near-maximum radial position in the rotor, an excessive centrifugalforce, or pe ripheral speed, is not required to maintain separation ofmatter from a fluid, the governing factor, of course, being the relativespecific gravities of the substances and the carrying fluid. Therefore,in comparison with other centrifuges wherein great centrifugal force of10,000 Gs, or more, is employed to force contaminants through a fluid,particularly during the relative short period of time that a fluid isunder the influence of centrifugal force within a centrifuge, no suchforce is required in the herein described multiple separation means.Therefore, by means of the externally mounted fluid-flow regulatorymeans associated with this centrifuge, the volume and pressure in thefluid being subjected to treatment may be kept under close observationin order to obtain the most satisfactory results.

6 The viscosity of a fluid undergoing centrifugal treatment, itstemperature and consequent fluidity and the time allowed for centrifugalforce to do its separation work constitute the major requirements of acentrifuge. Therefore, by conveying the fiuid under high introductorytemperature conditions made possible by the proposed installation ofthis centrifuge, to a favorable leverage application position at theperiphery of the rotor and subjecting it to ever-increasing centrifugalpressures throughout the depth of the compartmented structure, andthereafter requiring it to flow centripetally and through the secondaryseparation stage before passing into the hollow shaft, thence out of thecentrifuge under centrifugal suction-creating means, provide the bestset of operating conditions under which maximum separation ofcontaminants, or substances, from a fluid may be had.

in addition to the safety afforded by its stressed construction,compartmented structure 13 is strengthened by its abutment against andfabrication with outer side-wall 14, later more fully described, and isalso further strengthened by its engagement with slanting top plate 18at recesses 18A, into which compartmented structure 13 extends, and byflange 18B which encompasses sidewall 14 a short distance from its topand is made removably secure thereto by means of screw bolts 24. Inturn, joining outer side-wall to compartmented structure 13 lends addedstrength to the combination primary stage construction.

Outer sidewall 14 houses internal liquid-flow channels 15 commencingfrom its contact with contaminant accumulating chamber 16 and extendingupwardly inward throughout its depth. Arrows 17, which have a smallcircle on their ends, represent the flow of water, as one of thepossible liquid substances, from this chamber into the aforesaidchannels, or passageways. At the top of this inwardly inclining wall thepassageways therein merge with passageways 19 Within plate 18 whichextend inwardly like spokes of a wheel to any series of outlet fixtures2% that may be selected through which discharge of the liquidcontaminant may be had. Passageways 15 are shown in dotted outline inFig. 4 and in circular formation in Fig. 6, and passageways 19 in dottedoutline, Fig. 3.

These outlets, which are also shown in Fig. 3, and in enlarged form inFig. 12, are comprised of a plurality of outwardly pointing right-angledfixtures, which may be made integral with plate 18 or removably aflixedthereto at any desired radius in order to accommodate the specificgravity of any liquid substance that may be separated from a lighterfluid which, obviously, would thereafter become thecontaminant-freed-fluid for conveyance out of the centrifuge via thehollow shaft. In the present illustrations the fixtures are shown asbeing plugged, plugs 20A having small safety wire holes for operatingsecurity reasons. Certain of the fixtures may be left that way or theplugs may be removed therefrom, all according to the relative specificgravities of the fluids involved. conceivably, of course, there arefluids whose only contaminant, or substance, may be a solid, in whichevent there would be no liquid discharge via these outlet fixtures andthey would, therefore, remain closed.

Plate 18 also serves the important function of maintaining positivealignment of the rotor at its top end. As will be noted, this plate hasa heavy flange on its inner end, which flange spatially encompasses andparallels the sides of introductory tube 6, while the outer surface ofthis flange has intimate contact with anti-frictional hearing assembly21, centrally positioned in casing 22, to which it is removably securedby means of a plurality of screw bolts 23.

Side-wall 14 is removably afiixed to the peripheral flanges of radialsupporting plate 25 by means of a plurality of screw bolts 26 which passthrough compartmented structure 13 to engage said flanges. Plate 25 isof strong construction to otfset centrifugal stresses that build up inthe central part of a wall. At its inner end a comparatively heavy rightangled flange turns upward to contrathreadably engage the top of hollowshaft 30 on its inner side while its outer side intimately contactsbearing assembly 64 which is held rigidly in position by means ofstationary supporting plate 10 which encompasses introductory tube 6.Plate 10 also supports dispersal tubes 8 via clamp means 11.

Inaddition to serving as a means for conveying a fluid upwardly inwardfrom contaminant accumulating chamber 16, the outer wall of side-wall 14terminates a distance above its base to form a radially extending flangewhich affords a means whereby circumferential twinhalf top plate 27 maybe secured to said side-wall.

Contaminant accumulating chamber 16 is bounded by the aforesaid topplate 27, the flange on side-wall 14, the inner leg portion of side-wall14 and by the uprising outwardly extending side 28A of bottom plate 28to form a bowl-like construction. Sidewall 28A is, in fact, a flangedcontinuation of the bottom plate 28. At its inner end plate 28encompasses and is removably secured to hollow shaft 30 via bolts 29.Thereafter, while the bottom part of this plate is of horizontalconstruction relative to shaft 30, the top part thereof slopes outwardlydownward to provide a drainage surface leading to the drainage openingscovered by removable plates 34. Removable plates 34 are shown moreclearly in Fig. 13, while the top twin-half cover plate 27 is shownseparately in Fig. 10. A plurality of screw bolts 32 aflix cover plate27 to the flange on side-wall 14 and the top of bowl-like wall 28.O-ring gaskets 33 are provided for sealing purposes between cover plate2'7 and the surfaces to which said plate is affixed.

A cross sectional view of cover plate 27 resembles a T, the lower partof the T serving as combination plug and aligning member for said cover,while the wings of the T span the space represented by 31 occupied bycover plate 27, Fig. 1, but shown in dotted outline, Fig. 10. This spaceis very important from the standpoint of gaining access to thecontaminant chamber. As complementary access or drainage means, draincover plates 34 are provided at the peripheral radius of plate 28. Thepractically perpendicular relation between space 31, when cover plates27 are removed, and the openings in bottomv plate 28 provide a means forloosening hard-packed substances which build up under heavy centrifugalprecipitation, said substances thereafter being flushed out of thechamber. This construction therefore permits ready access to one of themost vital parts of the rotor, without the necessity of dismantling thecentrifuge to remove said contaminants.

Sectional drain covers 34 are affixed to bottom plate 23 via a pluralityof screw bolts 35, and leak-proof gaskets 36 are provided therebetween,bolts 35 passing therethrough.

In chamber 16 the probable extent of contaminant build-up is indicatedby double-dotted rows 37 while the probable extent of water accumulationis indicated by the symbol for water as indicated by 38.

Chamber 16, which has a comparatively large circumferential area,provides an offset means whereby contaminants precipitated from thefluid stream may accumulate and thus prevent clogging of the fluidstream at the base of compartmented structure 13.

In connection with the aforesaid contaminant removal facilitiesremovable access doors 39 are provided in the side of casing 22'adjacent its bottom, and removable cover plates 74 are provided in thebase section of the casing. A side view of the side doors is shown inFig. 2, and cover plates 74 are shown installed in the bottom of casing22 in Fig. 14.

Besides serving as the axis of the rotor, hollow shaft 30" (encircled)serves as a conduit for conveying cleansed fluid out of the centrifugeto a reactive drive assembly,

or turbine, mounted in housing 86 beneath centrifuge casing 2 2. Atitsextreme top, shaft 30 is'spaced from plate 10, the separationtherebetwe'en constituting the dividing line' between inwardlypositioned stationary introduetory tube 6 which extends through plate10, and rotatable shaft 30. The top of this shaft may be closed by meansof a tight-fitting plug inserted therein, such as indicated by 41, inorder that the cleansed fluid will flow downward only.

Reverting to the flow of the contaminated fluid through the centrifuge,after impinging against ribs 13, it travels radially downward as perforked arrows 5. Upon passing out of the base of compartmented structure13 the substances in the fluid that have specific gravities higher thanthat of the fluid itself are centrifugally precipitated into chamber 16,while the fluid freed of its heavy contamiriants is forced by internalpressure to travel inwardly toward the hollow shaft. The eounterwisetravel of this carrying fluid is indicated by arrows 42.

Mold-purpose plate 43 serves in a dual capacity in that it lends radialstress support to compartmented structure 13 at its base, bolts 44passing through the inner leg of side-wall 14, through saidcompartmented structure and thread'ably engaging a peripheralcircumferential flange of plate 43. Examination of this plate will alsoreveal that after the carrying fluid passes through apertures 45therein, it again flows outwardly and up the inclined surface of saidplate to the radial extremity permitted by the dimensions of the innerfrusto-conical disc assembly. Plate 43 is removably secured to hollowshaft 39 by a ring of Allen screw bolts 46. Apertures 45 constitute thedividing line between the primary and secondary separation stages.

Granted that the bulk of the contaminantssolid matter, sludges andwateris centrifugally precipitated into chamber 16 at the beginning ofthe separation process, due to constantly decreasing temperature as theoil passes through the centrifuge it is possible that some lighter formsof contaminants may still remain in the residual carrying fluid. Toaccomplish certain removal of such residuals frusto-conical discassembly 47 is incorporated in the centrifuge structure to trap andretain such lighter contaminants from the now nearly-cleansed oilstream.

Assembly 47 comprises an angular arrangement of cone-shaped discs 48,Figs. 1 and 7, which are mounted within twin-half wall 49. This wall, inturn, is held securely in position by means of spacer element 50 whichencompasses shaft 30 and is tapered on its outer side to conform to theangular shape of wall 49. Further support for this angularly constructedwall is provided by radial plate 51 which encompasses shaft 30 viaflange means and is made removably secure thereto by Allen screw bolts52. Apertures 51A, also shown in Fig. 9, permit passage of the residualcarrying fluid through plate 51 for its constantly increasing radialtravel through apertures in the outer extremities of the discs, as shownin Fig. 5. An annular stop spacer 53 is provided between plate 51 andmulti-purpose plate 43. A plurality of bolts 54 pass through plate 43and spacer 53 to make engagement with plate 51.

In building up this cone assembly a collar 55 is mounted concentricallyaround shaft 30 and affixed thereto by means of set screws 56.Thereupon, radial plate 57, which has a contour similar to that of thediscs, is mounted upon collar 55, after which annular spacers 58, shownin Figs. l and 7 and in a three-quarter view in Fig. 8, are mountedagainst wall 49 at the innermost edges of the discs and also at theiroutermost edges against the outer section of said wall 49. These annularspacers are installed to provide prescribed separation of the discs andpermit flow of the residual carrying fluid therethrough, said spacershaving equally spaced, notched sections in their bottoms for thatpurpose.

Cone-shaped discs 48, as will be seen in Figs. 1 and 7, have taperingprotuberances on their undersides, one purpose of which is to providecontaminant-retaining areas betweenthe discs and the inner sides of saidprotuberances. A second advantage is to provide strength to the discs toenable them to withstand effectively the centrifugal stresses that buildup in a rotor. Such reinforcements enable the discs to maintain theirconformity under high-speed rotation and hence preserve the minutelyprescribed fluid-flow passageways therebetween. These protuberances aretapered on their outer sides to permit the oil, or other fluid, flowingcentripetally between the discs to squeeze past without restriction,while on the inner side these protuberances constitute part of theabove-mentioned contaminant retaining areas. The contaminant that maypossibly be precipitated in these areas is indicated by dots 59 in Fig.7.

There are at present many centrifuges that have disc assemblies in theirseparating bowls. While these discs do accomplish separation, one offaults that plague such centrifuges lies in uneven distribution ofcontaminants that occurs within such bowls. Generally, these bowls areof perpendicular construction, the fluid to be cleansed entering thedisc assembly at the bottom. There being no radii differential in suchconstructions, it will be found that the entrance apertures between thediscs speedily become clogged, especially the bottom-most aperture,which clogging renders all the other discs useless and which conditionmakes it imperative that the centrifuge so afflicted be dismantled forremoval of such clogging contaminants.

In the herein disclosed invention the functioning thereof is in markedcontrast to that above described. All oil, or other fluid, entering thedisc-assembly area must travel outwardly and upwardly to the extremeradius of the assembly before it is forced inwardly by internalpressure. Consequently, any unwanted matter that may still reside in thefluid will be conveyed from the bottom entrance apertures and retained,first, at the extreme upper radial position in the bowl; after which,should any contaminant crowd between the upper discs it will be trappedthereat; and, henceforth, should any clogging occur, the spaces anddiscs next beneath will be available to trap contaminants. Hence, anyclogging that may occur would commence from the top down and not fromthe bottom up, as at present. The complete capacity of the cone assemblyis thus made available for separation purposes. For practical andeconomical centrifuge operation, clog-free distribution of the fluidtherein is a must.

The twin-half construction of wall 49 is indicated by 60, Figs. 1 and 5,the sections thereof being removably affixed to each other by aplurality of screw bolts 61. The top section of this wall has,throughout most of its area, an angular contour similar to that of discs48. At its extreme top it abuts and occupies a recessed position withinradial supporting plate 25.

Upon being freed of the last traces of foreign matter by said angularlypositioned and, therefore, radii differential means, the now-cleansedoil is forced to flow from said disc area through multiple smallpassageways 62, said passageway continuing through wall 49, throughtapering spacer element 50 and through the wall of hollow shaft 30 tothe interior thereof. This oil flow entering the shaft is indicated byarrows 63 which also indicate that the cleansed oil flows downward intothe reactive fluid drive assembly positioned in a casing beneath thecentrifuge casing.

Near its bottom, shaft 30 is supported via a shoulder of reduced crosssection, as indicated at 30A, which shoulder rests upon radial thrustball bearing assembly 65. This assembly is removably secured to thetwin-half bottom of casing 22 by means of a ring of screw bolts 66.

As a means for maintaining thrust alignment of shaft 30 and thecentrifuge components assembled therearound, collar 67 is removablysecured to said shaft by means of set screws 68. interposed between thiscollar and the bearings is a spacer type washer 69 which has a curvedraceway contoured therein to receive the travel of the ball bearingstherearound.

Stationary casing 22 is of twin-half construction throughout its entirearea and each half thereof is secured to each other by means of bolts70. It may be mounted on any desired supporting frame or engine byconventional mounting means, none of which is shown.

By referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the side-wall ofthis casing inclines inwardly from top to bottom, and that the lowestinternal area bounded by said side-wall and bottom is at the farthermostmerger thereof. Hence, when a liquid contaminant is discharged fromoutlets 2% in the top plate of the rotor it will be thrown radially, asper'arrows 17, against the inner surface of the casing wall. Thereafter,it will flow downwardly inside the wall and, due to the angularconstruction thereof and also the outwardly sloping bottom wall,converge at the lowest point of the wall merger, whereupon it will passinto drainage tubes 71, thence into collector ring 72, for conveyance toany desired destination.

Removable cover plates 74 are aflixed to the bottom of casing 22 bymeans of screw bolts 75, which also secure gasket 76 interposed betweenplates 74 and casing 22.

Window sections 77 are provided in the top of casing 22 so that visualobservation of the rotor may be had. These window sections are removablysecured to casing 22 by means of screw bolts 78. These window sectionsalso serve the purpose of access doors in order to reach outlet fixtures20.

Reactive drive assembly 80 is disengageably affixed to the lowerterminus of hollow shaft 30 by means of contra-thread engagementtherewith, as indicated by dotted outline in the hub of said assembly.Hence this assembly is self-tightening, and will remain securedthroughout operation of the centrifuge.

This assembly is shown partially in Fig. 16. It is comprised of hub 84 aplurality of dispersal tubes 81, which extend through said hub to theinterior of hollow shaft 30, and a radial supporting plate 82 whichencompases the hub and to which said tubes are affixed by means ofhold-down aligning clamps 83. A substantial right angle is formed at thetermini of these tubes, to which termini are fitted nozzles 87 whichextend to within close proximity of stator blades 84 for focussing thedischarge of fluid in a direction opposite to that of rotation.

Obviously, the greater the radii of these tubes the greater thecentrifugal pump effect thereby provided, and according to the strengthof this centrifugal effect a suction pull will be exerted upon the fluidflowing downwardly through hollow shaft 39 which, in turn, will helpovercome, through said suction pull, the contrafiow influence exerted bycentripetal force upon the fluid flowing inwardly from the contaminantreceiving chamber 16 to the disc assembly 47, and through the discpassageways to the interior of the shaft. As stated in the objects ofthis invention, in order to make available the most appropriate reactivedrive assembly for any prescribed fluid input pressure and rotor radius,assemblies of different radii are made available for engagement withsaid hollow shaft, as are of course the housings which contain thecomplementary stator blade assembly required for the fluid impingementturbine effect.

As previously mentioned also, the suction pull induced upon the fluidbeing discharged translates into energy compensation in that less pumpeffort will be required to obtain a stated rotor peripheral speed.

Upon striking the stator blades the cleansed residual fluid, which maystill contain considerable heat, may cause said fluid to foam within thestator blade assembly. This foaming condition, however, may be preventedby obliging the fluid, after it leaves the stator blade surfaces, toflow through a screen 85 which extends circumferentially around theinner periphery of housing 86 and which is located immediately beneaththe stator blades. A separate partial top view of this screen is shownin Fig. 18.

Top plate 88 of housing 86 is of divided construction which, when joinedtogether by a plurality of bolts 89,

spatially encompasses shaft 30. At its periphery there is a right angledflange turning downwardly to engage the side walls of housing 86 and towhich it is removably secured by a plurality of bolts 91. Vent holes 99are provided in this top for releasing any gases which may be caused byturbulence within the hot fluid being rapidly dispersed within housing86.

This latter housing is of one-piece bowl-like construction, the sidesthereof rising from the bottom as a perpendicular flange to accommodatethe stator blade assembly, and the bottom sloping toward a centralaperture 92. The cleansed oil discharged from the dispersal tubes flowsdown this slope, through this aperture into tubular conduit 93 andthence when the fluid is lubricating oil to the engines oil tank or anyother desired receptacle. Bolts 94 secure this conduit to a flat area atthe bottom of the sloping wall.

This centrifuge harbors no inaccessible or non-drainage pocketswhatever. By removing nut-cap 95 in the introductory system and closingvalves in the flow regulating device 2, a solvent may be introduced toflush the centrifuge, cover sections 34 at the bottom of the rotor beingremoved to provide drainage therethrough.

Special attention is called to the construction of the frusto-conicaldisc assembly. it is designed of sloping construction so that it isself-drainable and may easily be kept clean by means of periodicflushings. This, of course, is true of every phase of the centrifuge, afactor which makes for longevity in service.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a centrifuge, a stationary casing and a rotor mounted thereinbetween longitudinally spaced bearings and secured to a hollow shafthaving a closed top and a bottom opening into fluid discharge means,said rotor having a cone-shaped side-wall and an inwardly abuttingparallel-walled structure having equi-spaced ribs integrated angularlytherebetween and extending longitudinally thcrethrough, said side-walland structure being capped at its lesser diametered end by an outwardlyand downwardly sloping radial plate spatially encompassing a centrallypositioned fluid introductory tube and the spaces formed by said ribsand walls opening at said structures greater diametered end into aperipherally disposed contaminant receiving chamber formed by ahorizontal plate encompassing said hollow shaft and extending radiallyto a distance beyond the bottom of said parallelwalled structure, saidplate thereafter assuming the form of a side wall rising outwardly andupwardly beyond said structures bottom, the top of said wall havingengagement with an outwardly extending flange of said coneshapedside-wall, an aperture in the inner wall of said parallel-walledstructure adjacent its top and extending therearound, said introductorytube having axial alignment with but spaced from said hollow shaft andhaving connection with a source distant from said centrifuge forconveying under pressure thereto a fluid carrying in suspension solidand liquid contaminants having higher specific gravities than that ofsaid fluid, a plurality of tubes having communication with the interiorof said introductory tube and extending radially to within closeproximity of said aperture, each of said tubes having an angular bend atits extremity and being fitted with a converging nozzle for deliveringthrough said aperture said fluid against the ribs and the inner surfaceof the outer wall of said parallel-walled structure, a space ofincreasing radial extent formed within said chamber by said outwardlyrising wall, the bottom horizontal plate and the top flange sections forretaining said solid contaminants, a plurality of longitudinallydisposed passageways in said cone-shaped side-wall having communicationwith said chamber and communicating passageways in said radial plate forconveying upwardly and inwardly to discharge fixtures mounted thereuponliquid contamin'an-ts having higher specific gravities than that of saidcarrying fluid, and means for conveying contaminantfreed fluid 'intosaid hollow shaft for discharge from the rotor via connecting means atthe bottom of said shaft.

2. In a centrifuge, a stationary casing having arotor mounted therein, acentrally positioned inlet tube for delivering through the top of saidcasing a fluid under pressure from an outside source and carrying insuspension liquid and solid substances having higher specific gravitiesthan that of said fluid, means external to said casing for regulatingthe volume and pressure of the fluid entering said rotor, said rotorbeing assembled around a closed-top, open-bottom hollow shaft and beingcomprised of a top plate encompassing said shaft and extending radiallyto cap an outer side-Wall and a parallelwalled, internally-ribbed,open-bottom structure inwardly abutting said outer wall, said side walland ribbed structure having increasing radii from top to bottom, anaperture in the inner wall of said structure adjacent its top andextending therearound, a plurality of tubes having communication withthe interior of said inlet tube, extending radially to within closeproximity of said-aperture and having converging nozzles securedangularly at their tips for focussing said fluid against the ribs withinsaid structure; a large capacity circumferential chamber formed by wallspartially comprising said rotor, said walls being spaced radiallydistant from and above and beneath the extreme radius of .said ribbedstructure for retaining solid contaminants, a plurality of passagewayscommencing at the base-of said outer side-wall, having communicationwith said chamber and extending upwardly and inwardly through said wall,a plurality of passageways in said top plate having communication withsaid side-wall passageways and terminating in inwardly located fixture-smounted thereupon for discharging from the rotor said higher specificgravity liquid contaminants, passageways extending inwardly from saidchamber to the interior of said hollow shaft and means connected to thebottom thereof for discharging contaminant-freed fluid from said rotor.

3. A centrifuge, the combination comprising a casing having positionedtherein a rotor comprised of structures mounted at diverse anglesrelative to each other and relative to a longitudinally disposed hollowshaft, a stationary introductory tube and a plurality of right-angledtubes connected therewith for conveying to within close proximity ofsaid rotor a fluid given pressure at an outside source and carrying insuspension solid and liquid-substances having higher specific gravitiesthan that of said fluid, a primary separation stage of said rotor formedby a combination outer side-wall and an inwardly abuttingparallel-walled, internally-ribbed structure having increasing nadiifrom top to bottom, the spaces between said ribs providing openpassageways throughout the depth of said structure, a radially disposedplai'te spatially encompassing said introductory tube and extendingoutwardly and downwardly therefrom to provide a top for said structures,a chamber formed by walls spaced outwardly from and above and beneaththe lower open end of said structure and being secured to otherstructural components of said rotor, means having open-end communicationwith said chamber for the discharge from said rotor at a lesser radiusthan that at which it was received said higher specific gravity liquidsubstance, a secondary separation stage comprised of a structure mountedwithin the area defined by the walls comprising said primary stage,fluid communicating means between the structure comprising said primarystage and the structure comprising said secondary stage, said latterstructure having, relative to saiddownwardly disposed primary stagestructure, an upwardly disposed, increasingly radial construction; meanswithin said latter structure for retaining substances having higherspecific gravities than that of the said carrying fluid, and passagewaysleading from said secondary stage structure to the interior of saidshaft for the conveyance therethrough of contami- 13 nant-freed fluid toturbine means having communication with said shaft at its bottom.

4. In a centrifuge, a stationary casing having positioned therein arotor assembled around a hollow shaft and having a parallel-walled,open-bottom structure with an aperture in its inner wall extendingcircumferentially therearound, a stationary fluid-introductory tubehaving axial alignment with but spaced from said shaft and a pluralityof fluid-distributing tubes having communication with the interiorofsaid introductory tube, extending radially therefrom and turningangularly at their tips to discharge through converging nozzles withinclose proximity of said aperture a fluid given pressure at an outsidesource and carrying in suspension solid and liquid substances havinghigher specific gravities than that of said fluid, said structure havinga plurality of equi-spaced, longitudinally disposed, integrally-formedribs separating said walls and comprising in conjunction therewith adrivable turbine construction having increasing radii from top tobottom, a radial cap plate having recesses therein for engaging saidstructures walls and serving as a top therefor, an ofiset contaminantchamber formed by walls partially comprising said rotor, said wallsbeing distantly spaced from said structures open bottom for retainingsaid higher specific gravity solid substances, means for dischargingfrom said chamber said higher specific gravity liquid substances, aninteriorally positioned twin-half walled structure mounted divergentlyangular relative to said parallel-walled structure and relative to saidhollow shaft for housing a frusto-conical disc assembly positionedtherearound, means for passing said carrying fluid into said discassembly, means for retaining therein substances having higher specificgravities than that of said carrying fluid and means for passingcontaminant-freed fluid therefrom to the interior of said shaft for theconveyance therethrough of said fluid to turbine means havingcommunication with said shaft at its bottom.

5. In association with regulatory means for controlling the flow of afluid given pressure at an outside source and carrying in suspensionliquid and solid substances having higher specific gravities than thatof said fluid, a centrifuging rotor having diverse angular structuresassembled around a hollow shaft positioned between bearings in a casingand made operatively rotatable by said fluid, a centrally positionedinlet tube connected to said regulatory'means and having radialdistributing tubes connected to the inlet tubes interior for conveyingsaid pressured fluid to within close proximity of a parallelwalled,internally-ribbed, open-bottom structure inwardly abutting and beingmade secure to an outer side-wall, said combined structures havingincreasing radii from top to bottom throughout their depth, a top platespatially encompassing said inlet tube and extending radially andslopingly downward to encompass the lesser diametered end of saidcombined structures, several rings of equispaced, fluid-flow fixtures,each ring being mounted at a different radius relative to the axis ofsaid rotor and each fixture having the shape of an outwardly-facingelbow and having an orifice in its radial end, a removable plug fittedin each of said orifices, a peripherally disposed contaminant chamberpositioned outwardly adjacent the open endof said parallel-walledstructure, said chamber being formed by walls partially comprising saidrotor and extending circumferentially therearound, a plurality ofupwardly and inwardly disposed passageways in said side-wall havingopen-end communication with said chamber, a plurality of passageways insaid top plate having communication with said side-Wall passageways andextending inwardly to establish communication with said fixtures for thedischarge therethrough of said higher specific gravity liquidsubstances, an area constituting a circumferential pocket Within saidchamber against its lower, its side and its upper walls for theretention of said higher specific gravity solid substances, and open 1'4communication means leading from said chamber to the interior of saidhollow shaft for the discharge therefrom of contaminant-freed fluid viaturbine means connected to said shafts open bottom.

6. In a centrifuge, a rotor assembled around a hollow shaft and mountedin a casing between longitudinally spaced bearing assemblies, astationary inlet tube for conveying under pressure from an outsidesource a fluid carrying in suspension solid and liquid substances havinghigher specific gravities than that of said fluid, said rotor beingcapped by a radial top plate having a flange spatially encompassing onits inner side said inlet tube and abutting the top-most of said bearingassemblies on its outer side, the sides of said rotor being comprised ofan outer side-wall encompassing a parallel-walled, internallyribbed,open-bottom structure having increasing radii from top to bottom, ashoulder formed in said shafts Wall for making radial thrust contactwith the lowermost of said bearing assemblies, a plurality ofdistributing tubes having open-end communication with the interior ofsaid inlet tube and extending radially to within close proximity of acircumferential aperture in said structures inner wall, said tubeshaving nozzle means for focussing under maximum impingement pressuresaid fluid against the ribs and walls of said structure, a platecomprising the bottom of said inlet tube and extending radially tosupport said distributing tubes, said plate housing a bearing assemblyto provide intermediary radial aligning support to said rotor,structural means comprising a chamber positioned outwardly from thelower terminus of said side-wall for retaining said higher specificgravity solid substances, outwardly facing fixtures installed in saidradial top plate having connection with passageways therein, saidpassageways communicating with passageways in said outer side-wall andsaid latter passageways communicating with said chamber for dischargingfrom said rotor said higher specific gravity liquid substances, andmeans for conveying the carrying fluid from said chamber into saidhollow shaft for discharge therefrom via turbine means having connectionwith said shaft;

7. in a centrifuge, a casing for housing a rotor having a primary and asecondary separating means assembled around a closed-top, open-bottomhollow shaft, a stationary inlet tube having axial alignment with butspaced from said rotors shaft, a plate secured to the bottom of saidinlet tube and extending radially to support a plurality offluid-dispersing tubes having communication with the interior of saidinlet tube for conveying to within close proximity of an apertured wallof said rotor a fluid given pressure at an outside source and carryingin suspension liquid and solid substances having higher specificgravities than that of said fluid, said primary means being comprised.of an outer side-wall and a parallel-walled structure having increasingradii from top to bottom and having equi-spaced ribs between the wallsthereof, the spaces between said ribs providing open passagewaysthroughout the structures length, a bearing assembly housed in saidradial plate, a horizontal stress-supporting plate encompassing andbeing removably secured to said hollow shaft and having an inner flangefor making aligning contact with said bearing assembly, said plateextending radially, terminating in a double-ended flange against theinner side of said structure and having removable engagement therewith,said secondary separation means comprising a centrally positionedhousing abutting said horizontal plate and being mounted divergentlyangular relative to the mounting of said primary structure, said housingencompassing an assembly of frustoconical discs mounted around saidhollow shaft at an angle conforming to that of said housing, a chamberformed by walls extending distantly from said structure but havingconnection therewith for retaining said higher specific gravity solidsubstances, means for discharging from said chamber said higher specificgravity liquid substances, means for conveying said carrying fluid fromsaid primary separating means to said secondary separating means andpassageways leading therefrom through the wall of said hollow shaft,means within said secondary means for retaining substances having higherspecific gravities than that of said carrying fluid prior toits-discharge into said hollow shaft and means connected to the bottomof said shaft for discharging contaminantfreed fluid from said rotor.

8. A centrifuge, the combination comprising a centrally positionedintroductory tube for conveying under pressure from an outside source afluid carrying in suspension liquid and solid substances having higherspecific gravities than that of said fluid, a rotor comprising anapertured hollow shaft, a fabricated side-wall and compartrnentedstructure having increasing radii from top to bottom and means forreceiving against ribs within said structure the impingement of saidfluid and for discharging said fluid through its greater diametered end,a chamber formed by walls located radially distant from and extendingabove and beneath the bottom of said compartmented structure forretaining said higher specific gravity solid substances, meanscommunicating with said chamber for discharging therefrom said higherspecific gravity liquid substances, a multi-purpose plate encompassingand being removably aflixed to said shaft and extending substantiallyradial therefrom and 'being removably affixetl' to said compartmentedstructure, inwardly positioned apertures in said plate for passing thecarrying fluid into thetconfines of a frusto-conical disc assemblymounted within a twin-half walled housing having angular spaced relationwith said shaft, commencing from the periphery of a radial platecomprising thebottom of said housing the side walls thereof extendingoutwardly upward, a plurality of intercommunicating fluid-flow holes inthe bottom plate of said housing and in said discs adjacent their outeredges, said holes paralleling said side wall for furthering within saidassembly the upward distribution of said fluid, and means withinsaidassembly for retaining contaminantscarried by said fluid prior to itpassage into said apertured shaft for discharge via radial meansconnected to its bottom.

9. In a centrifuge, a casing supporting an inverted coneshaped rotormounted upon a hollow shaft and given rotation by a fluid introducedunder pressure from an outside source, said fluid carrying in suspensionliquid and solid contaminants having higher specific gravities than thatof said fluid, fluid-flow regulating means mounted externally to andoperatively associated with said centrifuge, a stationary centrallypositioned inlet tube connected to said regulating means and extendinglongitudinally inward through said casing, radially disposeddistributing tubes having communication with the interior of said inlettube and converging nozzles fitted angularly at said distributing tubestermini for directing said fluid into said cone-shaped rotor at itslesser diametered end, said rotor having a combination structurecomprised of parallel walls spaced by ribs made integrally therewith andforming longitudinally disposed spaces therebetween, an outer side wallhaving a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally therethrough,a radial plate spatially encompassing said inlet tube and extendingslopingly radial to encompass via a circumferential flange said sidewalland combination structure, a plurality of passagecircular walldivergently disposed relative to said combination structure and beingremovably secured to a circumferentially extending side-wall flange,said circular wall being a flanged continuation of a horizontal plateencompassing said hollow shaft, means for retaining within said chambersaid solid contaminants and means for discharging therefrom through saidside-wall and radial plate passageways and through said fixtures saidliquid contaminants,

an inwardly positioned frusto-conical disc assembly mounted angularlyaround said hollow shaft and occupying the area described by saidinverted rotor construction, means for conveying the carrying fluidthrough said disc assembly into said hollow shaft and turbine meansconnecting with the bottom of said shaft f r dischargingcontaminant-freed fluid from the rotor in a direction opposite to thatof rotation.

10. In a centrifuge, a rotatable assembly secured to a hollow shaftclosed at its top and open at its bottom, said assembly partiallycomprising a combined side wall and parallel-walled structure havingincreasing radii from top to bottom, said walls being spaced bylongitudinally disposed ribs mounted angularly therebetween, a centrallypositioned inlet tube and a plurality of distributing tubes integratedtherewith for conveying to within close proximity of an aperture in theinner wall of said structure a fluid given pressure at an outside sourceand carrying in suspension liquid and solid substances having specificgravities higher than that of said fluid, a chamber formed by wallspartially comprising said rotor, said walls being spaced outwardly fromand above and beneath the extreme radius of said side wall and extendingcircumferentially therearound at an elevation from its base forretaining said solid substances therein, means having communication withsaid chamber for discharging higher specific gravity liquid contaminantsfrom said rotor, a multipurpose plate encompassing said hollow shaft andextending radially to abut and be made secure to said parallel-walledstructure, an assembly of frusto-conical discs positioned within atwin-half wall housing, centrally located apertures through saidmulti-purpose plate and peripherally located apertures in the base ofsaid housing for admitting into said disc assembly adjacent its maximumradius carrying fluid forced inwardly from said chamber, a taperedmember interposed between the inner wall of said housing and said shaftfor spacing said housing at an angle therefrom, said angular mountingincreasing radially outward and upward from said housings base,intercommunicating passageways adjacent the peripheries of said discsand spaces between said discs for providing fluid passagewaystherebetween, passageways through said tapered member havingcommunication with said disc passageways and extending into the interiorof said shaft for conveyance therethrough of contaminant-freed fluid toa turbine connected to said shaft at its bottom.

11. In a certifuge, a stationary casing for housing a rotorlongitudinally positioned between bearings around a hollow shaft, saidrotor having a primary and a secondary stage for separating solid andliquid conatminants having specific gravities higher than that of afluid carrying them in suspension from said fluid, said fluid beinggiven pressure at a source external to said centrifuge, a centrallypositioned inlet tube for conveying said pressured fluid to the rotorsinterior and distribution means having communication with said tube andextending radially therefrom for focussing said fluid against theinterior surfaces of a parallel-walled ribbed structure comprising aclosed-top, open-bottom inverted cone structure partially constitutingthe primary stage of said centrifuge, a chamber formed by walls offsetoutwardly from the bottom of said structure and partially comprising therotor for retaining therein said solid contaminants, and means havingcommunication with said chamber for discharging therefrom said liquidcontaminants, said secondary stage comprising a twin-half walled housingspaced from said hollow shaft by a tapered element for carrying anassembly of frusto-conical discs, said housing being mounted at an angledivergent from that of said inverted cone structure and at a radiuslesser than that of said primary stage structure, a multi-purpose plateencompassing said hollow shaft and extending radially to removablyengage said cone structure, apertures within the inner area of saidplate for passing therethrough carrying fluid received from saidchamber, means for introducing said carrying 17 fluid into said discassembly at the outer edges thereof, solid. ring spacers positionedbetween said discs at their outermost edges for maintaining a prescribeddistance,

Itherebetween and notched ring spacers located inwardly from saidfirst-mentioned spacers and also adjacent the: innermost edges of saiddiscs, a plurality of holes in eacli of said discs adjacent the edgesthereof, said holes conforming in alignment to the angular mounting ofsaid housing, each of said discs having a smooth upper surface, anindentured lower surface having downwardly projecting protuberancesextending therefrom to within close proximity of the top of an adjacentdisc positioned immediately beneath, said notched spacers and saidspaced relationship between the discs establishing fluid passagewaystherebetween, and said indentations in conjunction with saidprotuberances forming on the inner sides thereof circumferentialcontaminant retaining pockets, intercommunicating passageways extendingfrom said disc passageways through the innermost wall of said housing,through said tapered element and through the wall of said shaft for thepassage of contaminant-freed fluid tothe interior thereof, and meanshaving communication with said shaft atits bottom for the discharge ofsaid fluid therefrom.

12. In a centrifuge, structures forming a primary and a secondary stageof contaminant separation from a fluid, said structures being mounted ina casing and comprised of an inverted cone enshrouding a housing for afrustoconical disc assembly, said structures being assembled as arotatable unit around a hollow shaft and given rotation by acontaminant-laden fluid receiving pressure from an outside source and bypressure within contaminantfreed fluid being discharged from saidrotatable unit in a direction opposite to that of rotation, a centrallypositioned inlet tube and a plurality of radially disposed tubes havingcommunication with the interior of said inlet tube and having convergingnozzles at their discharge ends for focussing said contaminated fluidagainst the tops of equi-spaced ribs made integral with an open-bottom,parallel-walled structure, said ribs being angularly positioned betweensaid walls throughout their entire depth, through-flow spaces Withinsaid primary structure opening into a contaminant chamber formed bywalls partially comprising said rotatable unit and positioned outwardlyfrom, above and beneath the bottom terminal of said structure, means forretaining within said chamber said solid contaminants, means fordischarging from said chamber said liquid contaminants,'said rotatableunit including a frusto-conical disc assembly mounted around the unitsshaft, means for conveying said fluid from said chamber into theinterior of said assembly, means for retaining contaminants therein andmeans for passing contaminant-freed fluid to the interior of said hollowshaft and for conveying it to a turbine connected to the bottom thereoffor discharge from said rotatable unit.

13. A centrifuge having a stationary casing, a rotor integrated aroundan axial tube rotatably mounted within said casing; means forintroducing a contaminated fluid at a given pressure from an outsidesource into said rotor and co-acting fluid-impingement-turbine means foremploying said pressurized fluid to effect rotation of said rotor; meansfor delivering cleansed fluid from said rotor to said axial tube, saidtube protruding through the bottom of said casing and into a housingexteriorally disposed therebeneath; said housing being comprised of astructure having annular sides; a reactive drive assembly mounted on thelower extremity of said tube and secured thereto by contra screwengagement; said assembly being comprised of a hub and a plurality offluid-dispersing tubes having inner open-end connection with theinterior of said axial tube, said dispersing tubes being supported by aplate encompassing said hub extending radially a distance approximatingthat of said dispersing tubes and being removably aflixed thereto byhold-down aligning clamps; said tubes having a right-angled bend attheir exhousing separate and apart from said centrifuge casing,

said housing having positioned therein around its inner periphery astator blade assembly; means for receiving Within said centrifuge casinga contaminated fluid under pressure from an outside source and meanswithin said rotor to receive continuous impingement of said pressuredfluid thereagainst; means for delivering cleansed fluid to said axialtube and conveying it to its lower extremity, said reactive driveassembly being affixed thereto thereat; means for dispersing said fluidagainst said stator blade assembly in a direction opposite to that ofrotation.

15. In a centrifuge, the combination of a rotor secured to an aperturedaxial tube and having an increasingly radial compartrnented side-wallstructure having fluid impingement receiving means therein; means forrotating said combination via contaminated fluid under pressure from anoutside source and directed by fluid dispersal means into said rotorstructure; a circumferential contaminant chamber bounded by a distantlyspaced angular wall and capped by a twin-half section extending aroundsaid side-wall and being removably secured thereto; a plate encompassingsaid axial tube and extending radially with the outer edge thereofterminating at and being rernovably secured to said side-wall structure;apertures within said plate for the passage therethrough of fluid forcedinwardly from said contaminant chamber; a frustoconical disc assemblyhoused within a twin-half walled structure having an interior surfaceextending angularly outwardly from bottom to top adjacent said axialtube; circular spacing means for effecting clog-free distribution ofsaid fluid within said assembly and means dependently carried by saiddisc assembly for retaining therein contaminants precipitated from saidfluid before its delivery to said axial tube. V 4

16. In association with means for regulating the flow of a fluid to becleansed and an introductory tube therefor, 'a centrifuge supported byan axial tube, made directly operable by pressure applied to said fluidat an outside source and assisted by means for contributing a reactivedrive effect induced by the reactive discharge of said fluid therefrom;said centrifuge having primary and secondary stages of separation andincorporating an assembled rotor closed at its top by a radial aligningcap plate and bounded circumferentially on its sides by an integratedstructure comprised of a pair of parallel side-Walls spaced by aplurality of longitudinally disposed, equi -spaced ribs positionedsubstantially at right angles therebetween, said spaced walls and ribsforming compartmented areas that remain open at their bottoms;commencing at its juncture with-said cap plate said wall structurehaving progressively increasing radii through its full depth, anaperture in the inner wall adjacent its top and extendingcircumferentially therearound; fluid input means comprising an assemblyof stationary fluid-conveying tubes having open-end connection with saidintroductory tube and right-angled extremities with nozzles fittedthereto and extending to Within close proximity of said side-walls andadapted to direct a discharge of fluid therebetween; contaminantretaining means within said rotor concluding the primary stage ofseparation; an angularly mounted assembly of discs constituting thesecondary stage of separation and having fluid communication with saidprimary stage of separation and fluid communication with the interior ofsaid axial tube; a reaction turbine having fluid communica- 19 tion withthe discharge end of said axial tube, said turbine having radiallyextending discharge openings formed therein and complementary statormeans for coordinating .the discharge of said fluid therefrom at aradius greater than that of said fluid input and in a direction oppositeto that of the rotors rotation.

17. A centrifuge comprising a stationary casing, a rotor assembledaround a hollow shaft having horizontal apertures in its wall, means forreceiving externally pressured fluid carrying substances of higherspecific gravities than that of said fluid and means within said rotorfor receiving the impingement of said fluid thereagainst and fordischarging said fluid therefrom at a radius greater than that at whichit was received, a chamber positioned adjacent said greater radius foraccumulating substances having said higher specific gravities, means forconveying fluid freed of said substances through said apertures into theinterior of said shaft, a housing centrally located and spaced beneathsaid casing, said housing having an annular side, a twin-half radialplate for encompassing said top via flange means and a funnel-shapedbottom leading to a central aperture, said hollow shaft extendingdownwardly through the bottom of said casing and becomingcontra-threadably engaged to a fluid-dispersing rotor mounted withinsaid housing, an annular curved blade stator assembly removably affixedat the inner periphery of said housing, said assembly being closed atits top and farthest side, open at its inner side and at its bot- .tom,a circumferentially positioned screen extending beneath and partiallysurrounding said stator blades on their inner edges, vent holes in thetop of said housing for the passage of vapors therethrough and a conduitleading from said bottom aperture for conveying fluid from said housing.

18. A centrifuge, the combination comprising a stationary casing, anintroductory tube connected to an external source for supplying to arotor mounted on a hollow shaft supported by bearings within said casinga fluid under pressure and carrying substances having higher specificgravities than that of said fluid, means for focussing said fluid in adirection of rotation at a substantial radius from center againstimpingement receiving means within said rotor and for discharging saidfluid at the maximum diameter of said impingement receiving means, acontaminant receiving chamber offset from the flow of the fluid streamand formed by a substantially horizontal wall encompassing said hollowshaft and extending radially to engage a wall spaced distantly from saidmaximum diametered impingement receiving means, said latter wall risingat an angle increasing in radii from bottom to top and being secured atits top by removable means securing an apertured flange extending fromsaid rotors side-Wall, means for conveying said fluid minus certain ofsaid substances into the interior of and through a frusto-conical discassembly and means for delivering to the interior of said shaft fluidfreed of said substances, a circular housing centrally positionedbeneath said casing, said fluid-conveying shaft projecting through thebase of said centrifuge casing and extending into said housing, aturbine assembly comprised of a hub mounted on the lower extremity ofsaid shaft and a plurality of fluid dispersing means having fluidengagement with said hollow shaft, each of said tubes having asubstantial angle at its extremity and a converging nozzle securedthereto, a stator blade assembly positioned circumferentially around theinner periphery of said housing in close proximity to said tubes andsaid nozzle being focussed at an angle to deliver said fluid againstsaid blades in a direction opposite to that of rotation, means forcoordinating the radius of said turbine assembly and its complementarystator assembly relative to the radius of said first-mentionedfluidfocussing means.

19. A centrifuge, the combination comprising a casing of angularlyformed twin-half construction, a rotor having means comprisingcontaminant separation stages assembled around a hollow shaft, an inlettube for conveying an externally pressured fluid carrying in suspensionliquid and solid substances having higher specific gravities than thatof said fluid, a combined side-wall and parallel-walled, open-bottomstructure having therewithin spaced longitudinally disposed ribs andhaving increasing radii from top to bottom, fluid-dispersing meanshaving connection with said inlet tube for focussing said fluid againstsaid ribs through an aperture in the inner wall of said structure, acontaminant chamber formed by walls secured to other components of saidrotor and extending outwardly from and above and beneath saidopen-bottom structure, a radial top plate spatially encompassing saidinlet tube and extending slopingly downward to cap said combinedside-wall and parallel-walled structures, a plurality of outwardlyfacing fixtures mounted in the inner area of said top plate,multi-passageways in said side-wall having open communication with saidcontaminant chamber, multi-passageways in said top plate communicatingwith said side-wall passageways, extending centerwise and communicatingwith said fixtures for the discharge therethrough of liquid substanceshaving higher specific gravities than that of said fluid, the top ofsaid casing rounding into an annular side wall that inclines inwardlyfrom top to bottom, a radial bottom section encompassing said shaft andextending outwardly and downwardly to make removable contact at itsperiphery with said inwardly inclining side wall, liquid collectingpipes protruding downwardly and outwardly from the lowestcircumferential inner area of said bottom section, said pipes merginginto a collector ring for the conveyance of said liquid substances fromsaid casing.

20. In a centrifuge, a stationary casing for housing a rotor madeoperable by externally pressured fluid conveyed inwardly by a centrallypositioned tube having a plurality of distributing tubes extendingradially therefrom, said fluid carrying in suspension liquid and solidsubstances having higher specific gravities than that of said fluid,said rotor comprising a combination side-wall and parallel-walled,open-bottom, internally-ribbed structure having increasing radii fromtop to bottom, means for receiving within said structure the impingementof said pressured fluid thereagainst, a contaminant chamber formed bywalls spaced radially from and above and beneath the bottom of saidcombination structures, said walls comprising part of said rotorstructure, a radial top plate encompassing said inlet tube and extendingslopingly downward to cap said combination structures, a plurality ofoutwardly facing fixtures installed in the inner area of said top plate,multiple passageways within said sidewall having open communication withsaid contaminant chamber and multiple passageways within said top platecommunicating with said side-wall passageways and with said fixtures forthe discharge therethrough of liquid contaminants having higher specificgravities than that of said fluid, said casing being of twin-halfconstruction and having a plurality of removable window sections in thetop thereof for permitting observation of the substances beingdischarged through said fixtures.

21. In a centrifuge, a rotor assembled around a hollow shaft, a fixedinlet tube having axial alignment with but spaced from said hollow shaftfor conveying to the interior of said rotor 21 fluid given pressureexternally and carrying in suspension liquid and solid substances havingspecific gravities higher than that of said fluid, a combinationside-wall and parallel-walled, internally-ribbed structure havingincreasing radii from top to bottom and being open thereat, the outerwall of said side-wall terminating in an outwardly turned flange, nozzlefitted distributing tubes extending from the interior of said inlet tubefor directing said pressured fluid against the ribs of saidparallel-walled structure, a circular contaminant chamber formed by abase plate encompassing said hollow shaft and extending slopingly radialbeneath the base of said combination structure, a distantly spaced sidewall comprised of a section of said base plate turned to extendoutwardly and upwardly therefrom, a flange extending outwardly as acontinuation of the outer wall of said rotors side-wall and makingcontact with the top of said upwardly turned side wall, a number ofapertured access spaces formed in said flange, a number of openings inthe bottom section of said base plate, gasket-sealing covers foreffecting the closure of said openings and means for removably affixingsaid covers to said plate, a number of gasket-sealed T-shaped cap platesfor covering said apertured access spaces and means for removablyaflixing said cap plates to said upwardly turned side wall and to theflange of said rotors side-wall, the lower section of said T-shapedplates serving as aligning members between said side walls and the wingsections thereof bridging said access spaces, said spaces at the top ofsaid chamber and said openings at the bottom of said chamber beingsubstantially perpendicular relative to each other.

22. A centrifuge, the combination comprising a stationary casing forhousing a rotor assembled around a hollow shaft, a stationary inlet tubefor supplying to said rotor an externally pressured fluid carrying insuspension substances having higher specific gravities than that of saidfluid, a combination side-Wall and parallel-walled, internally ribbedstructure having increasing radii from top to bottom, means forfocussing said pressured fluid against said ribs, said structure openingat its bottom into a contaminant chamber located outwardly adjacent thegreatest diametered end of said structure, said chamber being comprisedof a plate encompassing and being secured to said hollow shaft, the topof said plate sloping downwardly toward drain openings in the basethereof, said plate thereafter rising outwardly and upwardly to form theside of a bowl-like construction, the top of said latter wall beingsecured to said rotors side-wall by apertured flange means, saidapertures providing access spaces therebetween, re-

movable cover plates for bridging said spaces, a plurality of removabledoors in the side of said casing positioned adjacent said cover platesand adjacent said removable base sections for providing access to theinterior of said contaminant chamber.

23. In a centrifuge having a stationary casing, a rotor mountedanti-frictionally around a longitudinally disposed hollow shaft, saidrotor being comprised of structures and mountings disposed angularlyrelative to each other and relative to said hollow shaft, a centrallypositioned, inwardly projecting tube and an associated assembly of tubesfor conveying to said rotor contaminated fluid given pressure at anoutside source and means for retaining within said structurescontaminants having higher specific gravities than that of said fluid,means at the bottom of said rotor for uncovering drainage openingstherein and means at the bottom of said casing for providing access tosaid openings, means connected to said inlet tube for introducing tosaid rotor fluids for flushing said contaminants therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS981,758 Goehler Jan. 17, 1911 1,235,945 Tuggle Aug. 7, 1917 1,423,169Thayer July 18, 1922 1,583,048 Karpinsky May 4, 1926 1,714,658 CarterMay 28, 1929 1,811,157 Schwerdtfeger June 23, 1931 1,882,390 MaclsaacOct. 11, 1932 2,321,144 Jones June 8, 1943 2,335,420 Jones Nov. 30, 1943FOREIGN PATENTS 26,181 Great Britain Nov. 14, 1912 823,296 France Oct.11, 1937

